Means for moving an individual sheet from a stack of sheets
or positioning the individual sheet with respect to a location where
the sheet is operated upon or moving or positioning the individual
sheet after having been operated upon.

(1)Note. Where the mechanism for operating on the sheet is particularly
set forth and the function is not, therefore, merely that of positioning
the sheet, it will be classified in the class provided for the particular
operating mechanism.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

In Class 271, a separation of an individual sheet from a stack
of sheets is considered proper even if no specific feeding of the
sheet toward an operation is disclosed. In Class 271, a sheet feeding
or delivering means combines or places the sheets (1) adjacent to
or on top of each other in a random order or (2) to perform the
operation on individually fed sheets.

In Class 270, a sheet material associating apparatus has a
mechanism to place the sheets from plural sources into an operational
specified association onto or against a surface which then groups
the sheets in said specified association or places the sheets in
said specified association. The delivery of the sheet to a stack
from plural sources requires a specific order of associating the sheets
other than mere random stacking. Class 270 accepts putting the sheets
in a logical array or placing the sheets in an associated stack
in order to perform the operation on the sheets in the stack.

An explanatory note on the scope and limitations of this class
is justified by the development of the art.

The line between the art for stacking or unstacking sheets
found in this and the indented subclasses of Class 271 and that
found in Class 414, Material or Article Handling, was at best nebulous
prior to the reclassification of subclasses 788+ in Class
414. During that project the classifier discussed establishing
a line with three examiners expert in the material handling arts
(i.e., Mr. Valenza representing Class 198, Mr. Stoner representing
Class 271, and Mr. Paperner representing Class 414) and the following
line was established:

(a) Class 271 provides for the stacking or unstacking of either
(1) individual sheets of unfolded paper, (2) packets of similar
sheets of paper attached together or individual folded sheets of
paper (e.g., signatures) when the thickness of each packet or folded
sheet of paper is substantially uniform and any variation thereof
is not utilized during the stacking or unstacking operation and
(3) thin, substantially flat, nonfood articles when at least one
of the articles to be stacked or unstacked is temporarily bent or
flexed during the handling thereof;

(b) Class 414 provides for the stacking or unstacking of either
(a) sheetlike food articles (b) nonpaper, sheetlike articles (e.g.,
glass sheets) which are not temporarily bent or flexed during their
handling, and (c) packets of similar sheets of paper when thickness
of the packet or folded sheet varies (e.g., wedge shaped) and this
variation is utilized during the stacking or unstacking operation;
and

(c) Class 414 also provides for the stacking of paper sheets
or sheetlike articles otherwise proper for Class 271 (i.e., in (a)
above) when the stack formed is subsequently handled as a unit and
moved away from the location where it was formed by handling means
other than an endless conveyor surface on which the stack was formed.
All original patents within Class 414, subclasses 788+ have
been placed in compliance with this line.

Article Dispensing, for an article dispenser not otherwise provided for, and
see especially
subclasses 33+ for a means for dispensing a flexible sheet, which
sheet is distorted as it is separated from the source of supply.

Sheet-Material Associating,
subclasses 52+ , especially subclasses 58+ for mechanism wherein
individual sheets are removed from plural source stacks and the
sheets are assembled into plural finished stacks, each finished stack
comprising at least one sheet from each of the source stacks.

Refers to "means for moving and placing the
individual sheet with respect to a device for operation on the sheet." Thus,
in the subclasses indented under "Feeding", the "Conveyor" may
be modified by means for orienting, retarding or interrupting the
feed relative to the operation; and in the subclasses indented under "Delivering",
the "Conveyor" should be limited to a means for transporting
the individual sheet from the operation or placing the individual
sheet in a receiver for a stack of such sheets. In either case
the conveyor of Class 271 is distinct from a conveyor of other classes,
wherein material or articles are transported from an input location
to an output location. Class 271 has also for many years included
a device wherein a stack of sheets is moved as an article to a position
at which sheets are removed from the stack by a separator, but has
not included a device wherein a stack of sheets is formed by a delivery
means, and subsequently the stack of sheets is moved as an article
away from the formation position. See References With Other Classes,
above, for the location of patents not proper for Class 271.

DELIVERING

Refers to the "means for removing the individual
sheet from the operation after having been operated on or placing
the individual sheet on a receiver after having been operated on."

FEEDING

Refers to the "means for moving individual sheet
from a stack" and involves use of a "separator
or a conveyor."

SEPARATOR

Refers to "means for setting apart or individualizing
a sheet relative to a stack of sheets, and moving the individual
sheet from the stack, particularly for the purpose of presenting
toward a position at which the sheet will be operated on."

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means for moving an individual
sheet from a pack of sheets and placing the individual sheet toward
an operation and means for removing the individual sheet from the
operation and placing the individual sheet in the same pack of sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter including means for positioning the pack
of sheets with respect to a part of a support for the pack or with
respect to a part of the sheet moving means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.01. Subject matter comprising a receiver and wherein the individual
sheet is moved from the pack of sheets and collected temporarily
in the receiver before placing the individual sheet toward the operation.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.05. Subject matter including means for sensing an occurrence
of a condition or a change in condition of the device which removes
the individual sheet from the operation and in response thereto
acts to start, stop or change the mode of moving the individual
sheet from the pack of sheets and placing toward the operation.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.08. Subject matter including means for detecting an occurrence
of a condition or a change in condition of the device which removes
the individual sheet from the operation and in response acts to
start, stop or change the mode of moving the individual sheet from
the pack of sheets and placing it toward the operation.

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means for moving an individual
sheet from a position or from a pack of sheets and placing it toward
an operation; and including means for removing the individual sheet
from the operation after having been operated on or placing the
individual sheet on a receiver after having been operated on.

(1)Note. This subclass may include in the combination a mere
means for operating upon the sheet, provided the invention is limited
to the handling of the sheet and is not a specific system special
to the operations performed on the sheet.

(2)Note. The term "placing " may include the
act of partially turning the sheet about an axis that passes through
the surface of the sheet so that an edge thereof is accurately
aligned if that edge was previously misaligned. Such turning is
sometimes termed "orienting " in other classes
if applied to articles conveyed in the device of that other class. In
Class 271 it is clear from the total disclosure that the alignment
is applied to the sheet and that the sheet will be operated upon
by some further mechanism (which mechanism, if claimed, is recited only
by its name ). If partial turning occurs, it is incidental to alignment,
but the purpose is to synchronize the feeding of the sheet to the
operation to be performed on that sheet by locating the sheet precisely
prior to feeding.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter wherein a detecting means is positioned at
the sheet moving and placing means for regulating the means for
removing the sheet from the operation after having been operated
on or placing the sheet on a receiver after having been operated
on.

(1)Note. For this subclass the feeding element and the delivering
element are placed on separate paths.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.15. Subject matter comprising a time recording device wherein
the time recording device is responsive to the sensor for controlling
the delivering of the sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter wherein a detecting means is positioned at
the sheet removing and placing means for regulating the means for
moving the individual sheet from the pack of sheets or placing the
sheet toward the operation.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter wherein one of the sheet carrying means consisting
of two elements each of which elements has an endless orbitally-moving
surface rotating in opposite directions, the surface of one element
being opposite to and spaced from the surface of the other element during
at least a portion of their movement and the surfaces moving in
the same direction and engaging opposite surfaces of the sheet lying therebetween
during the portion of their movement.

(1)Note. The element may be an endless belt cooperating with
another endless belt, a rotating roller cooperating with another
rotating roller or the endless belt cooperating with one or more
rotating rollers; the criterion for placement herein being only
that the conveyed sheet lies between the elements which thereby
cooperates to move the sheet.

Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for conveying a solid material
or an article by means of a fluid current. See the search notes under
the class definition for other classes having specialized fluid
current conveying.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.18. Subject matter including at least two elements having surfaces
located adjacent to and opposite to one another, the element surfaces engaging
opposed surfaces of the sheet located between the element surfaces
with sufficient frictional force to move the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 3.14. Subject matter including means for individualizing a sheet
relative to a pack of sheets and moving the individual sheet from
its position in the pack, and a means for carrying the individual
sheet away from the pack toward the operation.

This subclass is indented under subclass 4.01. Subject matter wherein (1) a gear and clutch, or (2) a shaft,
roller and cam mechanism or the equivalent; drives the separator
and conveyor at the same time.

This subclass is indented under subclass 4.05. Subject matter wherein a conveyor turns about an axis in
an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the endless
separator is carried to the conveyor.

Article Dispensing,
subclasses 42+ , for a rotary ejecting means for the concurrent
separation and distortion of flexible articles, subclass 259 for
a surface contact type discharge assistant to remove articles
from a source of supply, and subclass 277 for an article dispenser
having rotary discharge assistants.

This subclass is indented under subclass 4.08. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the rotary
separator is carried to the conveyor.

Article Dispensing,
subclasses 36+ for a dispenser for a flexible article including
ejecting means which concurrently separates and distorts the article,
many of such ejecting means having a reciprocating motion, and see
also subclasses 232 and 268+ for an article dispenser
of general type including a reciprocating discharge assistant
means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 4.11. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the endless
separator is carried to the conveyor.

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter for moving an individual sheet from a pack
of sheets, or moving the individual sheet toward an operation, or
positioning the individual sheet with respect to a location where
the individual sheet is operated upon.

Article Dispensing, appropriate subclasses for article dispensers not otherwise
provided for, and see especially
subclasses 33+ for dispensers for flexible sheets in which the sheets
are distorted as they are separated from the source of supply.

This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein a means for (a) moving an individual
sheet from a position or from a pack of sheets and (b) placing the
individual sheet toward an operation from one source regulates the
moving and placing of the individual sheets of the other source.

This subclass is indented under subclass 9.02. Subject matter wherein the feeding means includes a device
for sensing depletion or near depletion of one feeding source and
in response thereto controls the feeding from the other source.

This subclass is indented under subclass 9.02. Subject matter wherein at least two distinct means are operating
one after the other each on its own source of supply for moving
the individual sheet from the position or from the pack of sheets
and placing it toward the operation.

This subclass is indented under subclass 9.01. Subject matter wherein the supply includes sheets having
a plurality of unique characteristics and at least one of the feeding
means controls the feeding of the sheet having one specific characteristic
such as a particular color.

This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Subject matter including means for individualizing a sheet
relative to a pack of sheets and moving the individual sheet from
its position in the pack and a means for carrying the individual
sheet away from the pack toward the operation.

Article Dispensing,
subclasses 224+ for an article dispenser not otherwise provided
for, having means to segregate article from the stack or other source
of supply combined with means to subsequently manipulate such separated
article.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject matter wherein (1) a gear and clutch, or (2) a shaft,
roller and cam mechanism or the equivalent; drives the separator
and conveyor at the same time.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. Subject matter includes a device for permitting a certain
amount of movement of the separator or the conveyor such as a number
of degree of rotation of the separator.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.06. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the endless
separator is carried to the conveyor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.09. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the endless
separator is carried to the conveyor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.11. Subject matter wherein the rotary separator and conveyor
arrangement combined with a mechanism which selectively engages
and disengages an arrangement of the driving parts of the separator
and the conveyor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.14. Subject matter wherein the conveyor turns about an axis
in an arc of a circle and the individualized sheet from the reciprocating
separator is carried to the conveyor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 10.01. With means for forcing an intermediate portion of the sheet
away from the pack, while the ends remain in contact therewith,
and one or more endless bands for then carrying the sheet therefrom.

Article Dispensing,
subclasses 208+ for article dispensers not otherwise provided for
having means to assist the discharge of articles from a source of
supply which may be a stack or pack of aligned articles.

This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Device wherein the removal of the sheet is effected or facilitated
by an element or mechanism that generates lines of magnetic flux
or static electricity.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a stack of ferrous
sheets moves through a magnetic field, which causes partial separation
of the sheets to facilitate individual feeding of the sheets from the
stack. Movement of the magnet is for adjustment purposes only.
An electrostatic zone can act in a similar way to cause partial
separation of paper sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 18. Device wherein the sheet-removal means includes one or more
sharp pointed members, the point of which penetrates the face of
the sheet that is to be removed.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device provided with means to urge a stack of sheets in
a direction such that the foremost sheet of the stack is in a position
appropriate for removal of a single sheet.

(1)Note. The device of this and indented subclasses is usually
for feed from the top of a stack, or for feed from a stack of on
edge or imbricated sheets. A device of this and indented subclasses
is usually for feed from the bottom of the stack and would not be
found herein (since a bottom-feet mechanism does not have a stack
urging means) unless the patent thereto also claimed a weight for
urging the stack toward the bottom of the hopper.

This subclass is indented under subclass 30.1. Devices wherein a stack holder is provided and arranged
to support the stack so that the individual sheets derive a substantial
amount of their support from their edges.

(1)Note. Many of the devices herein includes a spring or weight
to move a backstop that advances the stack.

Article Dispensing,
subclasses 42+ for rotary ejectors including friction roller means
for the concurrent separation and distortion of flexible articles,
subclass 253 for endless belt carried discharge assistants for general
utility article dispensers, and particularly subclass 259 for article dispensers
in which the article is engaged by discharge assistant means which
contacts the surface of the article only, many of these devices
being an endless belt type of friction device.

Article Dispensing,
subclasses 36+ for dispensers for flexible articles including
ejecting means which concurrently separate and distort the articles,
many of such ejecting means having a reciprocating motion, and see
also subclasses 232 and 268+ for article dispensers of
general types including reciprocating discharge assistant means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus wherein means are provided which move in the arc
of a circle to deliver the sheets to fingers which bear against
one side of the sheet and rotate to turn it over.

This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device wherein the sheet-removing means engages an individual
sheet by a gaseous fluid medium under subatmospheric or above-atmospheric
pressure.

(1)Note. Although in most devices the gaseous fluid is air,
either under suction or under pressure, or both, the use of a special
fluid other than air (e.g., steam) is not barred, if the fluid is
for the purpose of preconditioning a stack of sheets (e.g., fluffing
the sheets of the stack with the hot, moist steam) to facilitate
subsequent separation of the sheets from the stack.

Article Dispensing,
subclass 211for article dispensers not otherwise provided for
in which suction carrier means is effective to engage and remove
articles from a source of supply, and subclass 278 for fluid pressure
discharge assistants for articles.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein the sheet-removing means comprises at least
two vacuum elements, each of which is movable relative to the stack,
and each of which is also movable relative to the other.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein plural cups bend
the margins of corners of a sheet toward each other to facilitate
separation of that sheet from the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 91. Device wherein at least two of the elements that are in
engagement with a sheet move away from each other in a direction
that is transverse to the direction of feeding of the sheet so engaged,
thereby tending to tension an area of the sheet that is between
the elements.

This subclass is indented under subclass 91. Device wherein at least one of the elements moves to and
from the stack of sheets in a direction generally perpendicular
to the plane of the foremost sheet to engage and move the foremost
sheet away from the stack, and wherein another of the elements moves
in a direction generally parallel to said plane, whereby said one
element initiates the movement of a foremost sheet and transfers
said foremost sheet to the other of the elements to continue the
movement of the foremost sheet away from the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein the sheet-removing means comprises an element
that turns continually in the same direction, through the surface
of which element vacuum is applied to engage and remove a sheet
from a stack.

(1)Note. The shape of the suction member of this subclass may
vary. Included herein is a drum or a belt having apertures therein
or a wheel or chain having orbiting cups mounted thereon. What is common
to all the devices is the presence of suction through the suction member
and the movement in one direction of the suction member.

This subclass is indented under subclass 94. Device wherein motion is imparted to said element, which
motion is supplemental to the turning of the element.

(1)Note. Included in this subclass is a device wherein a continuously
turning suction member has additional movement to and from the stack,
and a device wherein a one or more suction cups rotate or oscillate
on their own axis and simultaneously revolve within a carrier about
a second axis. The latter arrangement permits the suction cup to
be retarded in its motion so that it is momentarily stationary with
respect to the sheet which it will engage, even though the carrier
in which it is mounted continues to rotate.

This subclass is indented under subclass 94. Device provided with means to vary the zone or area on the
foremost sheet where vacuum is applied, or to vary the degree of
vacuum applied, or vary the effect of the vacuum applied.

(1)Note. The adjustments noted in the definition above may be
performed, for example, by adjusting the position of a nozzle that
applies suction through the periphery of an apertured drum or belt, or
by use of a valve that regulates the amount of suction applied,
or by adjusting the speed of rotation of the drum or belt.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein the sheet-removing means includes a source
of air or other gaseous medium subjected to above-atmospheric pressure.

(1)Note. A distinction should be made between a device using
pressurized gas for the purpose of causing or aiding removal of
a sheet from a stack (found in this and indented subclasses), a
device using pressurized gas for the purpose of restraining feeding
of sheets other than the foremost sheet (found in subclass 104),
and a device using pressurized gas for the purpose of fluffing or
riffling the sheets of a stack while the sheets remain in the stack
(found in subclass 105).

(2)Note. Some patents in this subclass disclose the use of Bernoulli"s
Principle for the movement of sheets. That principle includes the
use of air under relatively high pressure and velocity to generate
an area of low pressure adjacent a surface.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein a stack of sheets is held so as to permit
the sheets thereof to fall into position at which the sheet-removing
means engages the lowermost sheet of the stack, and wherein the
sheet-removing means comprises a vacuum element.

(1)Note. Included in this and indented subclasses is a device
wherein the stack of sheets is supported partly on the edges of the
sheets and partly by means extending in the plane of the lowermost
sheet and below said lowermost sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 99. Device wherein the vacuum element moves to and from the
stack, and during its movement away from the stack engages a portion
of the lowermost sheet adjacent one of the edges or corners thereof
to move that portion away from the undisturbed residue of the stack.

(1)Note. Although most devices of this and the indented subclasses
include a suction member that oscillates by pivoting in the arc
of a circle, a few such devices include a suction member that oscillates by
reciprocating in a straight line to perform the same type of bending
of the sheet margin.

This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Device provided with at least one component that is moved
from a position outside the stack to a position between the bent
portion of the lowermost sheet of the stack and the undisturbed
portion of the next-to-lowermost sheet of the stack, thereby to
hold the undisturbed residue of the stack against feeding movement during
separation of the lowermost sheet from the stack.

(1)Note. Included in this subclass are some devices wherein
the stack is moved in a direction parallel to the plane of the sheets
thereof as the lowermost sheet is separated therefrom. The relative
movement between support segment and remainder of stack has been
considered sufficient for placement herein.

This subclass is indented under subclass 99. Device wherein the vacuum element moves to and from the
stack in a direction generally normal to the plane of the lowermost
sheet of the stack.

(1)Note. Although in most devices of this subclass the motion
is straight line reciprocation, and in a few such devices the motion
is a pivotal oscillation, with either motion, the suction member
pulls the foremost sheet away from the stack in a direction perpendicular
to the plane of the sheet.

for a device wherein a member reciprocating in a
direction generally parallel to the plane of the sheet, and a suction
means that does not move but is located adjacent the lowermost sheet
is activated to ensure that the reciprocating member will engage
the lowermost sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device wherein the sheet-removing means includes a vacuum
cup mounted on an array of telescopically projectable and retractable
elements, through which array a source of vacuum is applied, and
wherein the projection of the vacuum cup toward the foremost sheet
of a stack causes a sheet-engaging orifice of the vacuum cup to
be sealed by the foremost sheet, whereupon the increase in vacuum
(i.e., decrease in pressure) within the array following the sealing
causes the array and the cup mounted thereon to be retracted from
the stack with the foremost sheet attracted to the cup.

This subclass is indented under subclass 90. Device including a means using a gaseous fluid medium under
subatmospheric or above-atmospheric pressure, which means acts on
any of the sheets of a stack to separate at least a portion of a
sheet from a corresponding portion of an adjacent sheet, but without
removing any of the sheets from the stack.

(1)Note. This subclass provides for a device which is a subcombination
of a sheet-feeding machine, the device performing an operation that
prepares the stack for feeding or removal of sheets therefrom.
Examples of such device include, a nozzle issuing a blast of steam or
heated air or ionized air, a suction device for removing dust from
the sheets of a stack, and means to bend, flex or riffle the margins
of the sheets prior to removal.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device provided with means to detect the absence or presence
of a sheet from the pack or stack of sheets, and further provided
with means to activate or deactivate the sheet-removing means as
a result of such detection.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device provided with means in addition to the turning surface
or element, which means includes a source of vacuum or subatmospheric pressure
that facilitates the operation of the sheet-removing means.

(1)Note. The suction means must be a stationary suction member
that does not by itself remove a sheet from the stack. Rather,
it is separate from the rotating separator and pulls the sheet into
a position that will ensure the engagement of the sheet by the separator.
For a suction member that reciprocates to separate a sheet from
a pack, see subclass 102, and for a suction member that assists
a reciprocating bottom-feed member, see subclass 132.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein the axis of turning is perpendicular to the
surface of the sheet that is nearest the sheet-removing means, whereby
the means turns in a zone that is parallel to said surface.

(1)Note. In exemplary operation, the separator "peels" the
foremost sheet from the stack by interposing a rotating finger between
the surfaces of the foremost sheet and the next sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein the sheet-removing means is impelled to be
turned by mechanism that imparts changeable turning speeds to the means,
or imparts different turning speeds to different sheet-engaging
portions of the means, or imparts a discontinuous turning motion
to the means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Device wherein the sheet-removing means turns partially
to-and-fro about an axis, whereby the means feeds a sheet during
one direction of its turning and retracts to its initial position
during its reverse direction of turning.

This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Device provided with a clutch mechanism that imparts a turning
motion to the sheet-removing means during only a portion of the
time required for removal of a sheet, and thereafter permits the
sheet-removing means to be turned by continued movement of the sheet
past said means until the sheet is fully removed.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein the sheet-removing means is mounted on structure
that permits the position of said means to be varied with respect
to the stack of sheets or permits said means to be moved away from
the stack, or wherein the stack of sheets is mounted on structure
that permits the stack to be moved away from the sheet-removing
means.

(1)Note. Subclasses 126+ provide for a device wherein
the stack of sheets is urged toward the separator. This subclass
(117) provides for a device wherein the stack of sheets may be moved
away from the separator, usually for the purpose of replenishing
the stack. In this subclass will also be found a device wherein
the separation of sheets from a stack is stopped at will by retracting
the stack from the separator.

This subclass is indented under subclass 117. Device wherein the sheets are sequentially removed from
the stack by alternately bringing together and moving apart the
sheet-removing means and the stack in continuous sequence of operations.

(1)Note. Either the sheet-removing means may be moved to and
from the stack, or the stack may be moved to and from the sheet-removing
means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device wherein the surface or element that turns about an
axis is not circular or is not regular in its circumference.

(1)Note. Included herein is a device wherein the rotating separator
includes one or more pins or lugs projecting radially from the axis
of rotation, or a device wherein the separator comprises a roughened
surface or a helicoidal projection.

This subclass is indented under subclass 119. Device wherein the surface or element that turns about an
axis is mounted so as to have an additional motion with respect
to the axis of turning.

(1)Note. Included herein is a device wherein a roller is mounted
so as to rotate about its own axis as well as revolve about the
axis of rotation of the separator, or a device wherein a separator
has a surface portion that is adjustable radially or circumferentially
relative to the axis of rotation.

This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Device wherein a face of said retarding means adjacent to
the foremost sheet has motion imparted thereto, which motion is
in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the foremost
sheet during separation thereof.

This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Device wherein said sheet-retarding means engages a margin
or edge of the foremost sheet or the sheets adjacent to the foremost
sheet, which margin or edge is that which is opposite to the direction
of movement of the foremost sheet during separation thereof.

This subclass is indented under subclass 121. Device wherein the sheet-retarding means is located adjacent
the sheet-removing means to form an opening that permits the foremost sheet
to be moved out of a stack holder, and the extent of the opening
is variable.

This subclass is indented under subclass 124. Device wherein one of the elements comprising the sheet-retarding
means is a cylindrical member which may rotate.

(1)Note. Usually the restraining roller is located adjacent
to the feeding roller and diametrically opposite thereto so that
the sheet being fed passes between the rollers. The rotation of
the restraining roller is regulated, or the gap between the rollers
is adjusted, thus the movement of the next-to-foremost sheet is
restrained.

This subclass is indented under subclass 109. Device provided with means to force a stack of sheets in
a direction such that the foremost sheet of the stack is in a position
appropriate for removal of single sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 126. Device provided with a structure to hold a stack of sheets,
which structure is permitted to turn toward the sheet-removing means
to a limited extent about an axis.

This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Device provided with means to detect the absence or presence
of a sheet adjacent a sheet-removal zone, and further provided with
means to activate or deactivate the stack-urging means as a result
of such detection.

This subclass is indented under subclass 42. Device wherein the stack of sheets is held so as to permit
the sheets thereof to fall into position at which the reciprocating
member engages the lowermost sheet for separation of the lowermost
sheet from the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device provided with means in addition to the reciprocating
member, which means include a source of vacuum or subatmospheric
pressure that facilitates the operation of the reciprocating member.

(1)Note. The suction means must be a stationary suction member
that does not by itself remove a sheet from the stack. Rather it
is separate from the reciprocation separator and pulls the sheet
into a position that will ensure the engagement of the sheet by
the separator. For a suction member that reciprocates to separate a
sheet from a pack, and for a suction member that assists a rotating
feed means, see search notes below.

This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device provided with means that acts on a stack of sheets
or on the lowermost sheet of the stack while the stack is in its
holder, which means makes the stack or the lowermost sheet ready
for feeding of an individual sheet therefrom.

(1)Note. Included herein are such exemplary devices as one wherein
the pack is vibrated to loosen the sheets, or one wherein the edges
of the sheets are riffled, or one wherein the sheets pass a diverter
which shifts the sheets parallel to their surfaces to break the
surface adhesion of one sheet against another.

This subclass is indented under subclass 133. Device wherein the means acts to support a portion of the
stack above the lowermost sheet, thereby to facilitate feeding of
the lowermost sheet unburdened by the downward force of sheets thereabove.

(1)Note. In most devices of this subclass it is not the entire
weight of the sheets above the lowermost that is supported. Rather,
the hopper containing the stack is provided with fixed or moveable
projections into the downward travel of the stack such that at least
one edge of a sheet (and the stack above the sheet) is partially
and temporarily supported.

This subclass is indented under subclass 133. Device wherein the means acts on the lowermost sheet and
moves that lowermost sheet in its own plane to pre-feed or to individualize that
lowermost sheet prior to the action of the reciprocating feed member
in fully separating the sheet from the stack.

(1)Note. Included herein a device wherein a pusher having steps
simultaneously engages a plurality of sheets to push those sheets
in repeated increments along the feed direction until the lowermost
sheet is fully ejected, as well as a device in which the lowermost
sheet is partially moved in a direction other than the feed direction
so that it will be subsequently engaged by the reciprocating feed
member.

This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device provided with means to prevent the feeding of a lowermost
sheet temporarily or under control of a user of the device.

(1)Note. Included herein is a device wherein the feed of sheets
will be skipped at regular intervals, for example a sheet will be
fed on a regular feed stroke, but on the next regular feed stroke
a sheet will not be fed, and also included is a device wherein the
operator of the device, or a signal from another part of the device,
will effect nonfeed of the reciprocating member until feed is again
desired.

This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Device wherein the sheet-retarding means is located at an
opening of a stack holder that permits the foremost sheet to be
moved out of the holder, and the extent of the opening is variable.

This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device provided with means to effect to-and-fro movement
of the sheet-engaging member, wherein the member may be adjusted
relative to the means, or the means may be adjusted relative to
the stack, or wherein the means or the member may be moved to-and-fro
in other than a straight line.

This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Device wherein the means or the member may be moved in other
than a straight line.

(1)Note. In a device of this subclass the pusher movement is
usually as follows: an initial movement toward the bottom surface
of the bottom sheet, a feeding movement in engagement with the sheet and
in the direction of feed parallel to the plane of the sheet, a withdrawal
movement away from the surface of the sheet, and a retraction movement
parallel to the plane of the sheet and opposite to the feed direction,
thus ending in a position ready for the initial movement.

This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device wherein the sheet-engaging member includes an element
projecting toward the stack, and is provided with means to permit
or cause change in the extent of projection of the element.

This subclass is indented under subclass 131. Device provided with a plurality of sheet-engaging members,
each of which members is mounted for movement toward the stack to
the extent necessary to properly engage the bottom sheet of the
pack for feeding thereof.

(1)Note. Included herein are devices wherein sheets that may
be warped are to be fed. The pusher members are mounted to partake
of the same reciprocator movement, but are spaced laterally of the
direction of feed and are independently urged toward the plane of
the sheet so that they accommodate themselves to the warpage to
engage the sheet for proper feed.

This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device provided with means to urge a stack of sheets in
a direction such that the foremost sheet of the stack is in a position
appropriate for removal of single sheets.

(1)Note. The device of this and indented subclasses is usually
for feed from the top of a stack, or for feed from a stack of on-edge
or imbricated sheets. A device for feed from the bottom of the stack would
not be found herein (since a bottom-feed mechanism does not have
a stack-urging means) unless the patent thereto also claimed a weight
for urging the stack toward the bottom of the hopper.

This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device wherein the urging means is provided with areas thereon
capable of moving at a rate of speed greater than or lesser than
other areas on the urging means, or said means can be adjusted to
lie at different levels, thus permitting the foremost sheet to be
equally presented to the sheet-removal means even though the individual
sheets are thinner at one portion thereof than at another.

This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device wherein the stack holder is arranged to support the
sheets of the stack so that the individual sheets derive a substantial
amount of their support from their edges, or wherein the sheets
are arranged in overlapped array, the margin of one sheet lying
beyond the edge of an adjacent sheet relative to the direction in which
the stack is urged.

(1)Note. Many of the devices herein include a spring or weight
to move a backstop that advances the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device provided with means to detect the absence or presence
of a sheet adjacent a sheet-removal zone, and further provided with
means to activate or de-activate the stack-urging means as a result
of such detection.

This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Device which is provided with a means to remove the foremost
sheet of a stack, and wherein the detecting means is a part of said removing
means.

(1)Note. In patents of this subclass, the sheet separator is
claimed in general terms not justifying placement in one of the
specific separator subclasses higher in the class schedule. The
emphasis in the claimed invention is in the sensor, which is either
(a) integral with the separator, or (b) mounted on the same subassemblage
that supports the separator so that the sensor partakes of separator movement
at least in part, or (c) activated by a moving element that partakes of
movement of the separator.

This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Device wherein the detecting means is included in a system
of wiring or tubing that carries a flow of electricity or fluid
respectively, and wherein said detecting means regulates said flow
to activate or deactivate the urging means.

(1)Note. Among the sensers found in devices of this subclass
are: magnets, photoelectric cells (for which, per se see search
notes below), fluidic devices (for which, per se, see search notes
below), and valve operators.

This subclass is indented under subclass 154. Device wherein the flow is applied directly to motive means
that energizes the urging means.

(1)Note. In devices of this subclass the motor, whether electric
or hydraulic, is connected directly to the advancer rather than
through an intermediate clutch or transmission, and the stopping
or starting of the motor is directly responsive to the senser.

This subclass is indented under subclass 152. Device wherein the stack-urging means that is activated
and deactivated by the detecting means comprises a mechanical movement
that is known in the art as "pawl and ratchet" and
is further explained in (1) Note below.

(1)Note. A pawl is a pivoted element having a free end that
interengages with teeth on a mating wheel or bar known as a ratchet.
As the pivot of the pawl oscillates arcuately or reciprocates rectilinearly
its movement in one direction will cause the free end to engage
a ratchet tooth to move the ratchet an increment in said direction,
but the movement of the pawl in the reverse direction will permit the
pawl to slide over the adjacent tooth (or teeth) of the ratchet,
since reverse movement of the ratchet is prevented. Thus oscillatory
or reciprocatory movement of the pawl is converted into intermittent
one-way movement of the ratchet wheel or ratchet bar.

This subclass is indented under subclass 147. Device provided with means to cause or to permit a stack
of sheets to be placed or replaced in position for feeding, or provided
with a support for a stack of sheets, which support normally urges
the stack toward a sheet-removal position but is provided with means
to withdraw said support away from the sheet-removal position.

(1)Note. The title and definition of this subclass have been
written to accommodate the various ways in which the patents of
this and indented subclasses have been disclosed and claimed. The
intent of these subclasses is to provide a locus for patents disclosing "continuous" feeders,
that is, devices wherein sheets may be individually separated from
the top of a stack while a new stack of sheets is added to the bottom
of the stack. The claims of some of the patents sometimes recite
the replenishment in terms of function and sometimes recite the
structure inherently capable of performing the function, but the
intent is the same.

(2)Note. Due to the nature of the arrangement of sheets on edge,
a device feeding sheets from an on-edge advancer is inherently capable
of having the stack of sheets replenished. Search in the referenced
subclass below for structure similar to that of this subclass is
sometimes advisable.

This subclass is indented under subclass 157. Device provided with at least two supports alternately or
alternatively usable for urging a stack toward the sheet-removal
position whereby the sheet removing means may function without stopping
for replenishment of the stack.

(1)Note. In some devices plural platforms are mounted on continuously-moving chains
so that sheets are fed from the topmost stack while a new stack
is loaded on the bottom most platform. In other devices, one platform
is held temporarily at the sheet-removal zone while another platform
is retracted for reloading of a new stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 158. Device wherein a mechanism is provided for each of said
supports, each said mechanism being capable of moving its support
independently of the other(s).

(1)Note. In some devices a single power source is split into
two power drive trains, and in some devices two separate power drive
trains are provided. In either case, one platform is retracted
for reloading of a stack thereon, while another platform continues
to advance the old stack to the feed means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device provided with means permitting the stack-holding
or stack-supporting means to be moved with respect to the sheet-removing
position.

(1)Note. Although the definition above is sufficiently comprehensive
to include the movement of a pack advancer, it is obvious from the
position of this subclass in the schedule that the movement referred
to in the definition of this subclass is other than in the pack
advancing direction. A device of this subclass will, for example,
permit movement of a feed table away from the feeder in order to permit
access of an operator to the feeder.

This subclass is indented under subclass 162. Device wherein the stack-holding means can be moved from
a location at which it permits sheets to be removed from the stack
to a location at which it permits sheets to be added to the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 162. Device wherein the movement is along a direction coincident
with a lengthwise or widthwise dimension of a sheet of the stack.

(1)Note. The movement referred to permits a platform that is
advancing a stack along a direction to be adjusted perpendicularly
to that direction, or permits movement of a stack-holding tray that slides
out of the machine for replenishment of the stack therein.

This subclass is indented under subclass 145. Device wherein the holder supports the stack so as to permit
the sheets thereof to fall into position at which a sheet-removing
means engages the lowermost sheet for separation of the lowermost
sheet from the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 165. Device provided with means to support at least a portion
of the stack above the lowermost sheet thereof, thereby to facilitate
removal of the lowermost sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 167. Device wherein the means comprises elements that contact
those edges or margins of the foremost sheet that are parallel to
the direction in which the sheet is to be removed, and wherein the
elements are spaced apart from each other a distance equal to or
slightly less than the width dimension of said sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device provided with a sheet receiver that comprises a narrow
support having one dimension that is coextensive with the width
dimension of the individual received sheets and another dimension
that is very short compared to the length dimension of said sheets
whereby one portion of each received sheet will hang generally vertically
on one side of the support and another portion of each received
sheet will hang generally vertically on the other side of the support,
in which device the transfer mechanism comprises means to cause
each sheet to be deposited on said support with the sheet portions
hanging as described.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device provided with means to detect the presence of a sheet
moving toward the receiving means, and further provided with means
to activate the transfer means as a result of such detection.

199 and 215, for a device wherein a feeler or senser
is associated with a feeding or a delivering means indicated by
the title of the subclass, and see the Search Notes to subclass
152 for feeding subclasses including feeler means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein the removing means conveys a succession of
individual sheets along a direction parallel to their surfaces,
and wherein said transfer mechanism urges each of said sheets in succession
to be moved in a direction perpendicular to its surface.

(1)Note. In this subclass the packer usually is an air blast
directed toward the surface of the sheet being conveyed, thus the
air blast changes the direction of movement from edgewise to broadside.
For other air blast means, see the search notes below.

This subclass is indented under subclass 177. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes a member
turning about an axis, at least a portion of the turning member
contacting at least a portion of the surface of each sheet.

(1)Note. In this subclass the axis of the packer is usually
parallel to the surface of the sheet and the packer pushes each sheet
away from the packer axis.

This subclass is indented under subclass 177. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes a member
moving to-and-fro in a direction perpendicular to the surface of
a sheet that is contacted by the member.

(1)Note. In this subclass the to-and-fro motion of the packer
can be rectilinearly reciprocating or arcuately oscillating.

This subclass is indented under subclass 180. Device wherein the member pushes the individual sheets into
a stackholder that is arranged to support the sheets thereof so
that said sheets derive a substantial amount of their support from
their edges.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein the transfer mechanism acts to restrain or
hold back the forward movement of each of the succession of sheets
that are being conveyed, the action of the transfer mechanism being
timed to occur on each successive sheet just as that sheet is at
the receiver.

(1)Note. The words "restrain" and "hold back" require
(but do not limit the concept to) structure for positively gripping a
sheet or for enhancing the frictional hold back characteristics
of a retarding surface contacting a sheet. Thus a device having
a conveyor belt moving at a relatively reversed or reduced surface
speed would not be in this subclass. See search notes below for
such a device.

This subclass is indented under subclass 182. Device wherein the restraint or hold back is effected by
a surface or member moving at a speed slower than that of each of
the sheets and contacting the sheet surface frictionally, the frictional
contact being enhanced by subatmospheric pressure urging the sheet
toward the surface or member.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein the transfer mechanism acts to alter either
the direction in which the surface of each successive sheet faces
or the direction in which each successive sheet moves, the alteration
occurring just before or while the sheet is moved into the receiver.

This subclass is indented under subclass 185. Device wherein the transfer means alters the orientation
of each successive sheet from an orientation in which a particular
surface is facing in a particular direction to an orientation in which
said surface is facing in a direction opposite to said direction.

This subclass is indented under subclass 185. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes a turning
means provided with one or more receptacles for the temporary holding
of successive sheets, each receptacle lying in or adjacent a peripheral
portion of the turning means.

(1)Note. In use, successive sheets are inserted tangentially
into successive pockets of the turning means while the pocket is
aligned with the direction of movement of the successive sheets.
As the turning means rotates, the pockets hold and carry the sheets
circumferentially, and the sheets are released to the receiver at
a location different from the insertion location, thereby changing
the orientation of the sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein the transfer mechanism causes the successive
sheets to be curved or corrugated temporarily, thereby imparting
a temporary stiffness to the sheets that facilitates forward propulsion
of the sheets into the receiver.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes means that
may be placed in the path of movement of the successive sheets for
a short time, or may be removed from such path, said means being
located at the discharge end of the conveying means and just before
the receiving means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 189. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes one or more
platforms extending across and moving along with the direction of movement
of the succession of sheets, while supporting said sheets the plat-form(s)
being mounted for such movement in a closed-loop orbit and being
spaced one trailing end from a succeeding leading end to permit
successive sheets to pass through the space between said ends.

(1)Note. In using this device, each successive sheet is placed
by its conveyor on one of successively-appearing platforms, each
platform carrying its sheet to a position over the receiver. The
sheet is then stopped by means auxiliary to or integral with the
platform while the platform continues to move from under the sheet,
thus permitting the sheet to pass into the gap between platforms
and be deposited onto the receiver.

This subclass is indented under subclass 189. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes a closed-loop
band encircling two or more pulleys mounted on a support that moves to-and-fro
between a first position where the bend extends under the discharge
end of the conveyor of successive sheets and a second position where
the band extends over the receiver.

(1)Note. In using this device, each successive sheet is placed
by its conveyor onto the endless belt, the top run of which moves
toward the receiver. The movement of the belt carrier toward the receiver
thus moves the sheet at a speed equivalent to belt speed plus carrier speed.
When the sheet is entirely over the receiver the carrier retracts
at a rearward speed effectively equal to the forward speed of the
belt, thus the net speed of the sheet is zero, and the sheet falls into
the receiver as its belt support retracts.

This subclass is indented under subclass 189. Device wherein the transfer mechanism includes two means
disposed to receive one or more successive sheets and temporarily
hold such sheet (s) by contacting the two side borders of the sheet
(s) that extend in a direction parallel to the direction of travel
thereof, which means releases the sheet (s) so held by turning one
of the means in one rotational direction and simultaneously turning
the other of the means in the opposite rotational direction.

(1)Note. For the purposes of this subclass oscillation (i.e.,
to-and-fro partial rotation) of two opposite members is equivalent
to unidirectional rotation, provided that the members oscillate
in opposite directions simultaneously.

This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Device wherein the removing means includes mechanism to
generate static electricity or lines of magnetic flux, which mechanism
cooperates with the removing means to facilitate delivery of a succession
of individual sheets to a receiver.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein an endlessly
orbiting belt conveys a succession of individual sheets by frictional
contact of the surface of the belt with the surface of the sheets
and magnetic or electrostatic forces attract the sheets to the belt
to increase the frictional contact.

Conveyors: Fluid Current, appropriate subclasses for conveying solid material
or articles by means of a fluid current. See the search notes under the
class definition for other classes having specialized fluid current
conveying.

This subclass is indented under subclass 194. Device wherein the removing means includes a gaseous fluid
medium under above-atmospheric pressure.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein pressurized gas
urges the sheet into close frictional contact with an endlessly
orbiting belt, or for a device wherein pressurized gas strips the
sheet from a suction-belt conveyor, or for a device wherein pressurized
gas is blown in a direction having a component in the direction
of movement of the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 194. Device wherein the removing means includes an element that
turns continually in the same direction, through the surface of
which element vacuum is applied to engage and deliver a sheet to
a receiver.

(1)Note. The shape of the suction member of this subclass may
vary. Included herein is a drum having apertures therein or a wheel
or chain having orbiting cups mounted thereon. Common to all the devices
is the presence of suction and the movement in one direction of
the suction member. See subclass 197 below for a device having
an apertured surface comprising an endless belt.

This subclass is indented under subclass 196. Device wherein the surface is that of a closed-loop band
which encircles two or more pulleys and moves adjacent a vacuum
box that connects with a source of the vacuum that is applied to
the surface of the band.

This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device provided with means to detect the presence of a sheet
moving toward the receiving means, and further provided with means
to activate or deactivate the orbiting closed-loop belt or chain.

176 and 215, for a device wherein a feeler or senser
is associated with a feeding or delivering means indicated by the
title of the subclass, and see the Search Notes to subclass 152
for feeding subclasses including feeler means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device wherein that portion of the endless conveyor closest
to the receiving means may be displaced with relation to the receiving
means.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a machine wherein the operator
thereof wishes to move a portion of the conveyor aside for inspection
or repair of the machine, or for removal of the stack of delivered sheets.
For a machine wherein the delivery end of a conveyor moves, thus
serving as a mechanism to transfer the successive sheets to a receiver
as well as means to convey the sheets, see search notes below.

190 and 191, for a machine wherein the delivery
end of a conveyor moves, thus serving as a mechanism to transfer
the successive sheets to a receiver as well as means to convey the
sheets, and see (1) Note above.

This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Device wherein the endless conveyor delivers successive
sheets into a stack of sheets that grows in size of stack as a result
of such delivery, and provided with means to move the delivery end
of said conveyor in a direction that will permit and not interfere
with such growth.

This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device provided with one conveyor or a succession of conveyors
for removing a succession of sheets to a receiver, and further provided
with means to change the rate of movement of the succession of sheets
moving thereon.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a succession
of conveyors is provided, a downstream conveyor moving sheets at
a speed different (usually slower) than an upstream conveyor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 202. Device provided with means whereby said conveyor or at least
one of the conveyors is caused to increase its speed and decrease
its speed in regular sequence.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a machine wherein the cyclically
vary-speed conveyor takes each of the succession of sheets at a
high speed corresponding to its speed through the machine and slows each
sheet as that sheet is adjacent the receiver therefor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 198. Device provided with means for frictionally engaging opposite
surfaces of each successive sheet adjacent at least one of the margins thereof,
said means being mounted on a closed-loop belt or chain.

This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Device wherein said means engage two of said margins of
each successive sheet, the engaged margins being those which extend
in the direction of movement of the sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device provided with means to remove, or permit the removal
of, any electrical charge that may have accumulated on the delivered
sheets prior to the stacking thereof.

This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device wherein sheets are successively delivered onto the
top of a stack of delivered sheets, and wherein a layer of ambient
atmosphere is caused to form below the sheet last delivered and
above the top of the stack, which layer of air permits the last
delivered sheet to float down onto the top of the stack.

(1)Note. Exemplary of the manner in which the layer of air is
formed are: (1) air blast nozzles located above the stack and directed
upwardly, and (2) a wall confining the edges of sheets at the top of
the stack and extending to also confine the edges of the sheet last
delivered and the wall having perforations that permit the controlled
escape of air trapped between the sheet last delivered and the top
of the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device wherein the sheets are delivered to the holder from
a location underneath the holder and the stack is formed by moving
the sheets upwardly into the holder.

(1)Note. The use of a packer to push the delivered sheet up
into the receiver is common. A patent that claims a conveyor for
moving successive sheets edgewise as well as a packer to push the sheets
broadside is properly placed into the subclasses referenced in the
search note below as an original and properly cross-referenced into
this subclass. This subclass is for a patent wherein the claim is
directed to the means (whether by a packer or otherwise) for stacking
from below.

This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device provided with a platform or backing for holding a
stack of sheets, which backing extends in the length and width dimension
of a sheet and is contiguous with the sheet adjacent thereto, and
which backing is capable of being moved, thereby moving or permitting
movement of, the stack held thereby.

(1)Note. This subclass provides for a movable support including,
for example, an endless conveyor, on which conveyor a plurality
of sheets is delivered to form a stack, which conveyor is subsequently actuated
to move the formed stack. Temporary removal of one or more walls that
serve to confine the sheets during formation of the stack will not
bar a patent from original placement in this subclass. However,
further provision of structure other than the above-mentioned conveyor,
which other structure moves, or helps to move, the stack as a stack
will justify placement of a patent reciting such other structure
in class (198).

This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Device provided with means to detect growth in the accumulation
of the stack of sheets on or held by the platform or backing, and
further provided with means for causing movement of the platform
or backing away from the source of delivered sheets as a result
of such detection.

176, and 199, for a device wherein a feeler or senser
is associated with a feeding or delivering device indicated by the
title of the subclass, and see the Search Notes to subclass 152
for feeding subclasses including feeler means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 214. Device wherein the direction of movement of the backing
is simultaneously parallel to the surface of the sheet adjacent
thereto and away from the delivered sheets, whereby the sheets are
arranged in overlapped array, the edge of a previously delivered
sheet lying beyond the edge of a next delivered sheet.

(1)Note. Included in this subclass is a device wherein a circular
table rotates circumferentially as sheets are deposited thereon
as well as a device wherein an endless belt conveyor moves about
its carrying pulleys as sheets are deposited thereon. In both instances
the sheets are imbricated on the conveyor, their margins exposed
by an amount equivalent to the amount of movement of the conveyor
surface during successive depositings of successive sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 213. Device wherein the direction of movement of the backing
or platform is vertical and downward and such movement occurs in
synchronism with the delivery of sheets thereto, whereby the platform
recedes in relation to the growth of the stack of sheets accumulating thereon.

This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Device further provided with at least one additional platform
that is usable for temporary accumulation of delivered sheets thereto.

(1)Note. In this subclass the stack lowering device includes
a temporary support to which the sheets are delivered during the time
necessary to remove a stack from the main lowering platform and
to replace the main lowering platform into sheet receiving position.
See search notes below for a temporary support not related to a
stack lowering means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Device wherein the platform is urged upwardly under the
influence of a yieldable member, whereby the weight of the growing
stack of sheets is resisted by the yieldable member.

This subclass is indented under subclass 207. Device provided with means that confine the individual sheets
to cause them to be formed into a stack, or align the sheets within
a stack receiver, or direct the sheets into the receiver, or ensure
that the sheets will remain within the receiver after being directed
thereto, said means being capable of movement.

(1)Note. In this subclass the device includes a movable guide
means or a movable sheet hold-down means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 220. Device further provided with linkage powered from a source
other than the kinetic energy of the moving sheet itself, which
linkage effects periodic movement of the confining or aligning means
against peripheral portions of the delivered sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 220. Device wherein the confining means may be moved to vary
the dimensions thereof to accommodate the length and width dimensions of
the sheets comprising the stack.

This subclass is indented under subclass 223. Device wherein the confining means is further movable under
the influence of the kinetic energy of the moving sheet delivered
thereto, thereby to absorb the energy of the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device wherein the individual sheets move along a particular
path or line of movement and provided with means to cause the individual sheets
to move along a different path or line of movement.

This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device provided with means for positioning or locating a
sheet with respect to some part of the device or with respect to
some part of a mechanism that will operate on the sheet.

(1)Note. The term "positioning" may include
the act of partially turning the sheet about an axis that passes
through the surface of the sheet so that an edge thereof is accurately
aligned if that edge was previously misaligned. Such turning is
sometimes termed "orienting" in other classes
if applied to articles conveyed in the device of that other class.
In class (271) it is clear from the total disclosure that the alignment
is applied to a sheet and that the sheet will be operated upon by
some further mechanism (which mechanism, if claimed, is recited only
by its name). If partial turning occurs, it is incidental to alignment,
but the purpose is to synchronize the feeding of the sheet to the
operation to be performed on that sheet by locating the sheet precisely
prior to feeding.

(2)Note. Implicit in a device for the subclasses indented herebelow
is the concept of sheet movement along a direction of sheet travel.
The movement is caused by one or more conveyors which move the
successive sheets to an aligner and move the sheets away from an
aligner. The conveyor structure is different from the aligner structure,
except in the following subclasses: 233, where a rear-edge aligner
may also serve to push a sheet by its rear-edge; and 242, where
a conveyor includes an aligner (usually for the front edge) therewith.

(3)Note. For purpose of facilitating the definition of the subclasses
indented herebelow, the following discussion and definition of terms
used is herein presented. A "sheet" is a thin,
usually flexible object having length and width dimensions. The
boundary of these dimensions is the "edge" of
the sheet. The sheet is moved along a direction of travel, and
the term "side-edge" is applied to that edge which
is generally parallel to the direction of travel, while the terms "front
edge" and "rear edge" are applied to
those edges which are generally perpendicular to the direction of travel,
at the leading and trailing ends respectively. The term "gripper-couple" is
applied to a mechanism comprising two elements having opposed surfaces, between
which surfaces a sheet is placed; whereby as the elements are urged
toward one another the sheet is firmly contacted by the surfaces
so that as the surfaces move together in any direction the sheet
will be moved correspondingly, until the elements are urged apart
to release sheet. The surface may be on the peripheries of roller
which rotate in opposite directions.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device provided with means to detect the presence of a sheet,
or of an index mark on said sheet, at a particular location of the
device, and further provided with means to activate the sheet-positioning
means as a result of such detection.

(1)Note. Included within the meaning of the term "sheet-positioning
means" is (a) an abutment against which a sheet edge is
stopped to align that edge, and (b) a conveyor for moving the sheet
so that its edge is aligned against the abutment.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device provided with first means for slowing the speed of
movement of each sheet, which first means is in addition to a second
means for positioning or locating each sheet, the first means acting
before the second means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 230. Device wherein the slowing is effected by a surface that
contacts the sheet surface frictionally, the frictionally contact
being enhanced by subatmospheric pressure urging the sheet toward
the surface.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein each sheet to be positioned includes a slit
or opening in the surface thereof, and the positioner includes an
element that penetrates the slit or opening.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein the means for positioning sheets contacts
the trailing end of a travelling sheet.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device having a member that
contacts the rear-edge of a sheet for the specifically disclosed purpose
of aligning that rear-edge. The structure of the rear-edge contacting means
may be similar to the structure of the rear-edge pusher found in
subclass 269 or 271 below, but the difference in placement of a
patent to the device is in the intent and function of the device.
In this subclass (233) the function is to align the sheet in accord
with its rear-edge; in the other subclasses (269 and 271) the function
is to transport the sheet by pushing its rear-edge.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device provided with more than one sheet-positioning means.

(1)Note. For the purposes of this and indented subclasses, a
plurality of elements is considered to be one means if all the elements
function in the same way at the same time. Thus, two elements that
contact the "front-edge" simultaneously comprise
one assemblage, but another two elements that either contact the "side-edge" or
contact the "front-edge" at a different time comprise
another assemblage.

This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device wherein the sheet moves in a particular path or line
of movement, the movement being effected step-by-step due to the
action of the plural positioners which act one after another on
the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device wherein at least one of the positioners contacts
the "front-edge" of the sheet and at least another
of the positioners contacts a "side-edge" of the
sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 236. Device wherein one of the "side-edge" positioners
is adjacent one "side-edge" of the sheet and another
of the "side-edge" positioners is adjacent an
edge on the other side of the sheet, whereby the sheet is caused
to travel between the two "side-edge" positioners.

This subclass is indented under subclass 234. Device wherein one of the positioners is adjacent one "side-edge" of
the sheet and another of the positioners is adjacent and edge on
the other side of the sheet, whereby the sheet is caused to travel
between the two positioners.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device provided with first means to which the sheet is firmly
secured and by which the sheet is carried; and further provided
with means for positioning said first means, whereby the sheet carried
thereby will also be positioned.

(1)Note. In this subclass the sheet-holder usually comprises
a gripper-couple assemblage (for the definition of which, see (3)
Note of subclass 226), but the sheet-holder of this subclass may
also include a suction plate to which the sheet may be held by vacuum.

(2)Note. See (1) Note of subclass 242 for the difference between
the subject matter of this subclass (241) and subclass 242.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein the means for positioning sheets is integral
with a means for moving individual sheets, and wherein the sheet-moving means
is halted during the time the sheet is positioned relative thereto.

(1)Note. In this subclass the sheet conveyor usually comprises
a gripper-couple assemblage (for the definition of which see (3)
Note of subclass 226), which is similar to the device of subclass
241. The difference between the two subclasses is that in this
subclass the sheet is aligned against a temporarily-stopped conveyor
which may comprise a gripper, whereas in subclass 241 the sheet
is gripped by a conveyor member, which conveyor member may be stopped
so that the member, and the sheet carried thereby, will be aligned.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein the individual sheets are transported along
a particular path, and provided with a sheet positioner for the "front-edge" of
a sheet, which positioner is shifted along the same path as the
sheet.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein the same instrumentality
performs two functions, that is, the "front-edge" aligner
travels with the sheet but at a speed slower than that of the conveyor
for the sheet; thus the aligner both retards the sheet speed and
aligns the "front-edge" of the sheet. For a device wherein
one device is used to retard sheet speed and another device is used
to align the "front-edge" thereof, see search notes
below.

This subclass is indented under subclass 243. Device wherein at least part of the shifting movement of
the positioner is along the same path of movement as the sheet movement
but in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the
sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein the individual sheets are transported along
a particular direction of travel, and provided with a sheet positioner
for the "front-edge" of a sheet, which positioner
is moved so as to intersect the direction of sheet travel and intercept
the travel of the sheet momentarily.

This subclass is indented under subclass 245. Device wherein the sheet-transporting means includes a gripper-couple
that operates at recurrent intervals and in timed relation to the operation
of the "front-edge" positioner.

This subclass is indented under subclass 226. Device wherein the positioning means includes a guide surface
that is intended to contact one of the "side-edges" of
a traveling sheet, which guide surface is generally parallel to
the direction of movement of the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 248. Device provided with both a positioning means and a gripper-couple
mechanism that move together with a relatively small degree of movement,
the direction of movement being transverse to the direction of sheet
movement.

(1)Note. In the device of this subclass, an open sheet-gripper,
together with the aligner, move toward a sheet, the side edge of
which is contacted by the aligner, after which action the sheet- gripper
closes and the mechanism returns to a position at which the sheet
is aligned, at which point the sheet- gripper is opened to release
the aligned sheet and the sequence is repeated on a next sheet.
Compare this with the device of subclass 252.

This subclass is indented under subclass 248. Device provided with means for imparting to the sheets an
additional movement (i.e., additional to the direction of sheet
travel), which additional movement is in a direction transverse
to the direction of sheet travel and toward the positioning means
and is a relatively small degree of sheet movement.

This subclass is indented under subclass 250. Device provided with a sheet moving means that moves successive
sheets along a resultant direction that is composed of a large vector direction
along the direction of sheet travel and a small vector direction
transverse to said direction of sheet travel toward the side-edge positioner.

(1)Note. It is clear that the sheet will at first move in a
direction at an acute angle to the side aligner, and after contact
of the side edge with the aligner, the sheet will then move parallel
to the side aligner.

This subclass is indented under subclass 250. Device wherein the means to impart additional movement to
the sheets comprises a gripper-couple mechanism that moves transverse
to the direction of sheet travel.

This subclass is indented under subclass 253. Device wherein the placement of the positioning means may
be varied while the sheet feeder continues to operate.

(1)Note. For proper original placement of a patent into this
subclass, the specification of the patent should clearly disclose continued
operation of the sheet feeder or the sheet operating device during
the act of adjusting the aligning means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 253. Device further provided with means to show, by visible index
markings, the relationship between the positioning means and the
structure of the sheet feeder.

This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device provided with means to discontinue, suspend or alter
the normal flow or travel of sheets from a stack to an operation
station.

(1)Note. A distinction should be made between the temporary
stopping of a sheet during the period of time necessary to align
that sheet, (which temporary stopping is found in the patents of
subclasses 226+, as appropriate) and the stopping of the
normal travel of a succession of sheets (which latter stopping is
found in the patents of this and indented subclasses).

(2)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a condition of
the device itself, or a machine associated with the device is sensed,
and feed is interrupted in response thereto.

This subclass is indented under subclass 256. Device wherein the interruption of feeding is the direct
result of a willful act of an operative.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein it is desired
to change from a condition during which sheet feed occurs during
every cycle of operation of the feeder, to a condition during which
sheet feed occurs only during every second (or every third or fourth)
cycle of operation of the feeder. The feed is interrupted during
the "non-feed" cycles at the will of an operative.
This subclass is also for a device wherein it is desired to manually
override the interrupted feed so as to operate the feeder for the
purpose of clearing any jammed or excess sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 256. Subject matter wherein the feeding interrupting means includes
a device for detecting the absence of the sheets or presence of
a particular condition of the sheets adjacent to the feeding interrupting
means and in response thereto discontinue, suspend or alter the
normal flow or travel of the sheet from the stack to the operation
station.

This subclass is indented under subclass 258.01. Subject matter wherein the detecting device in response
to a particular condition detected discontinue, suspend, or alter
the normal flow or travel of the sheet from the stack to the operation
station only at a location ahead of the location of the detecting
device.

This subclass is indented under subclass 258.01. Subject matter wherein the sheet sensor is a mechanically
driven device and comprising a means for driving the sheet sensor
and the feeding means in a timed relationship with each other.

(1)Note. An electrically powered sensor is excluded from this
subclass.

This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Device provided with two or more of said detecting means.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a plurality of
sensers are located longitudinally along the direction of travel
of successive sheets and detect a condition of jamming or a condition
of rate of travel of the successive sheets as the successive sensers
are activated.

This subclass is indented under subclass 259. Device wherein the detecting means utilize air pressure
or suction in their activating circuitry.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein two sensers are
opposed to each other, and are located so that a succession of sheets
pass between the sensers with the surfaces of the sheets adjacent to
the sensers. Air, usually suction, applied to the sensers will
detect the presence of a single passing sheet by activating one
senser, but will detect the presence of superposed (i.e., doubled) sheets
by activating both sensers.

This subclass is indented under subclass 259. Device wherein the detecting means are located across the
direction of travel of the sheets.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a succession
of rectangular sheets are travelling along a direction perpendicular
to their front or leading edges. If the front edge is inclined
to that direction rather than perpendicular thereto, one corner
of the front edge will pass one of the detectors before the other corner
passes a respectively located detector, and this will activate the
feed-interrupter so that misalignment can be corrected. This operation
is distinguishable from front alignment provided for in another
subclass (see search note below).

This subclass is indented under subclass 258. Device wherein the detecting means detects the presence
of two or more sheets, or detects a sheet that is thicker than that
for which the detector is adjusted.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein the flow of unwanted
(due to double thickness) sheets is diverted to another path, as
well as a device wherein the flow is stopped.

This subclass is indented under subclass 262. Device wherein the detecting means is included in a system
of wiring that carries a flow of electricity, and wherein said detecting means
regulates said flow to activate the sheet-interrupter.

This subclass is indented under subclass 8.1. Device provided with means for moving individual sheets
to a particular position.

(1)Note. See the glossary entry for "conveyor" in
the Class Definition wherein the difference between a "conveyor" of this
class (271) and a conveyor of other classes is discussed. It should
be emphasized that in a typical patent for this class (271) and
this group of subclasses (264+) the total disclosure of
the patent and the environment in which the device is to be used
is of importance in proper placement of the patent. Thus, although a
typical claim of a patent in this and indented subclasses may recite
only a conveyor structure, it is clear from the patent that the
conveyor is feeding a sheet to an operation that will change the characteristics
of the sheet, or is feeding a sheet that originated from a stack
of sheets, or both. In other words, the device does more than move
an article from one location to another.

This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Subject matter comprising a device which detects the presence
or absence of the sheet at a designated location or a sheet thickness
and in response thereto continue moving the individual sheet toward
a desired location.

This subclass is indented under subclass 265.02. Subject matter wherein the detecting devices are located
at different locations at a distance from each other and along the
direction of travel of the sheet.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a device wherein a succession of
sheets are travelling along a direction perpendicular to their front
or leading edges and the detecting means are located across from the
line of travel of the sheets.

This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein the conveyor causes the sheet to move intermittently
or step-by-step.

(1)Note. This subclass is for a feeder wherein a particular
sheet is to be moved through an operating station whereat a plurality
of operations is to be performed on the same sheet, but each operation will
be performed at a different location on that sheet. The feeder
moves the sheet through the machine in successive steps.

This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device provided with means to adjust parts of the sheet-moving
means relative to each other or their supporting mechanism, or provided with
means to change the speed of movement of the sheet moved thereby,
or provided with means to cyclicly change the speed of movement
of the sheet-moving means (i.e., change from fast to slow repetitively).

This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein the sheet-moving means comprises two elements,
each of which elements has an endless, orbitally-moving surface,
the surface of one element being opposite to and spaced from the
surface of the other element during at least a portion of their
movement and the surfaces moving in the same direction and engaging
opposite surfaces of a sheet lying therebetween during said portion
of movement.

(1)Note. The element may be an endless belt cooperating with
another endless belt, a rotating roller cooperating with another
rotating roller or an endless belt cooperating with one or more
rotating rollers; the criterion for placement herein being only
that the conveyed sheet lies between the elements which thereby cooperate
to move the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 273. Device wherein the two elements are normally biased toward
one another by yieldable means and the movement away from one another
is resisted by the yieldable means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 264. Device wherein the sheet-moving means comprises a circumferential
surface of a rotating or endlessly-orbiting member, the conveyed
sheet being entirely in contact with said surface.

This subclass is indented under subclass 275. Device provided with at least two elements having surfaces
located adjacent to and opposite to one another, the element surfaces
engaging opposed surfaces of the sheet located between the element
surfaces with sufficient frictional force to move the sheet as the
elements are moved by the drum or endless belt or chain on which
the elements are mounted.

This subclass is indented under the class definition. Apparatus wherein means are provided limited to removing
or conveying individual sheets from a work station to a receiver,
stack, or some determined position.

This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus wherein the sheets to be delivered comprise a
set of two or more sheets that are being conveyed toward two or
more receivers, the apparatus being provided with means for disassociating
one of said sheets from one or more other sheets and for concurrently
delivering said one sheet to one receiver and the one or more other
sheets to one or more other receivers.

(1)Note. This subclass and the indented subclasses are for a
device wherein a "master" or "original" sheet
has been superimposed onto a "copy" sheet and the
so-formed set passed through a photocopying machine. After processing, the
moving assemblage or set of superimposed sheets is separated, the "master" being
delivered to one location and the "copy" being
delivered to another location. The characteristics of this operation
that distinguish it from feeding separators of this class, subclass
8 are that in this and the indented subclasses (a) the set is moving
in a direction parallel to the surfaces of the sheets and (b) two
receivers are provided for the two parts of the set.

This subclass is indented under subclass 280. Apparatus wherein the means for disassociating includes
a member which moves in a direction counter to the direction in
which the assemblage is being conveyed to effect relative movement
between the sheet and the remainder of the assemblage.

This subclass is indented under subclass 280. Apparatus wherein the means for disassociating includes
means capable of drawing toward itself one or more of the sheets,
e.g., by magnetism, suction, etc.

This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus wherein the sheets to be delivered comprise a
sequence of two or more sheets that are being conveyed one after
the other toward two or more receivers, the apparatus being provided
with means for diverting a first of said sheets into a first receiver,
a second of said sheets into a second receiver, the sequence continuing
until a sheet is diverted into the last receiver whereupon the next
sheet is diverted into the first receiver and the operation is repeated.

(1)Note. A machine for this subclass and the indented subclasses
differs from a machine for Class 270, subclasses 58.01+ in
that this and the indented subclasses provide for the stacking into
plural receivers of sheets from a single or an undetermined source,
whereas Class 270, subclasses 58.01+ provides for the stacking
into plural receivers of sheets from a plurality of source stacks,
the sheets of which are to be collated into a plurality of finished
stacks. See the search class notes in the class definition of Class
271 for further discussion. In this and the indented subclasses
will also be found a machine which is programmed so that one or
more of the receivers is "skipped" to form special stacks.

This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus having means to alter the normal sequence of delivery.

(1)Note. Programming means to skip one or more receivers or
means to deliver all sheets to a single receiver until the receiver
is filled, or to deliver all sheets or sheets in excess of capacity
of the receivers to an additional receiver are included here.

This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus including means to selectively deliver sheets
having copy on both sides thereof in oppositely faced relation to
that of sheets having copy on single sides thereof.

This subclass is indented under subclass 287. Apparatus in which the means delivering the sheets or a
means for deflecting the sheets from the conveyor is successively
moved into alignment with the entrance to each receiver.

This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus wherein a means is provided by which an operator
can feed precoded instructions into the machine to select the delivery sequence
or discharge destination.

This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus in which a means to convey the sheets has a means
to temporarily hold the sheets and then selectively discharges the sheets
at one of the plurality of receivers.

This subclass is indented under subclass 279. Apparatus in which an endless loop conveying path is provided
and in which a selectively operable means is provided which in one
condition maintains the sheet in the endless loop and in another
condition causes the sheets to exit the loop.

This subclass is indented under subclass 303. Apparatus in which the diverter is a revolving wheellike
member which can selectively revolve in opposing directions depending
upon the desired destination of the sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 278. Apparatus provided with means additional to the removing
means and a receiving means, which additional means (i.e., transfer
mechanism) is located adjacent a receiving means and which additional
means facilitates or effects the passage of individual sheets from
said removing means to said receiving means.

(1)Note. In this and the indented subclasses the delivery means
includes a conveyor for merely moving a succession of individual
sheets (usually in a direction parallel to their surfaces) from
an operating station, and a receiver wherein the individual sheets
are stacked (usually in surface-to-surface contact). The additional transfer
mechanisms of these subclasses do more than merely convey the sheets in
one direction. It is a positively acting mechanism that effects
a change in position, orientation, speed, or other condition of
the sheets just prior to the receipt of such sheets by the receiver.

This subclass is indented under subclass 306. Apparatus in which the removing means comprises a moving
conveyor and in which the transfer means includes means to separate sheets
from engagement with the conveyor.

(1)Note. The strippers herein are to be distinguished from mere
release means provided as an adjunct to the conveyor to terminate
the conveying effect, e.g., cams for opening grippers of a gripper conveyor,
means for terminating operation of a suction box for a suction conveyor,
etc., and from the guide means commonly provided to guide an already released
sheet from the conveyor to the receiving means.

This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus in which the stripping means is cyclically movable,
either in response to the need for removing a sheet or as a result
of the stripping operation, between a position in which it is operative
to separate a sheet from the conveyor and a position at which it
would be incapable of initiating separation of a sheet.

This subclass is indented under subclass 307. Apparatus wherein the means for separating the sheet from
the conveyor includes means capable of drawing the sheet toward
itself, e.g., by suction, electrical attraction, etc.

This subclass is indented under subclass 312. Apparatus in which the stripper is mounted for movement
toward and away from the conveyor surface during normal operation
of the conveyor and in which means are provided to maintain a predetermined
spacing between the stripper and the conveyor.

(1)Note. This device is to be distinguished from an adjustable
separator which is locked in a predetermined position at a nominal
spacing from the conveyor.

This subclass is indented under subclass 314. Apparatus in which the means moving in the arc of a circle
includes one or more receptacles for the temporary holding of successive
sheets, each receptacle lying in or adjacent to a peripheral portion
of the means moving in the arc of a circle.

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